Break the Monotony – Travel Beyond GOA

                 

Sea teaches us that it is the comeback that’s more important than the setback. Sea teaches us discipline, sea teaches us music, sea teaches us humbleness and sea teaches us diversity.  Why are we then visiting the same place every year and every season, when the country has so much to offer. Lets diversify, lets find better places, lets take a holiday trip to a place beyond Goa.

1.  Kanyakumari Beach - Dual View of Sunrise and Sunset

Some go to see sunrise while some go for sunset. On this trip, you will go for both. Located at the southernmost tip of the country, the Kanyakumari beach is breathtakingly gorgeous. It is usually less crowded but during the full moon days in April, people visit in large numbers to enjoy the spectacular sunset and sunrise. It is actually the only place in mainland India to witness such gorgeous views. Besides, the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea with the Indian Ocean, gives its a special name, Triveni.

Attractions: View of Vivekananda Rock and Thiruvalluvar, and view of sunrise and sunset
Location: Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India

2. Kavaratti Island – Talk to the waves on a Kayak

Enough of hiring a scooty every year, this year get a kayak. The Kavaratti Island has some of the most famous beaches in India. It’s a beautiful and calm lagoon that forms an ideal spot for water sports, swimming and basking in the sun on warm sandy beaches. Marine life exhibits can be seen at the new marine aquarium of Kavaratti Island. Kayaks and sailing yacht are also available on hire.

Attractions: Scuba Diving, Dolphin Dive Centre, aquarium-cum-museum, riding kayaks and yachts, and kayaking over bioluminescence
Location: Kavaratti Island, Lakshadweep

3. Radhanagar Beach – Don’t settle for Less, Choose the BEST

I know you must have been to ‘one of the best’ beaches, I wonder why you didn’t go to ‘THE BEST’ one. This beach with the softest white sand, situated just off a jungle and with a beautiful mountain as the backdrop, the Radhanagar Beach has been ranked as Asia’s best and world’s 7th best.

Attractions: White sand, turquoise blue water, peace, serenity, ideal for sea bathing and sun-basking
Location: Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

4. Gokarna Beaches – For the ‘Hippie at Heart’

Find time to talk to yourself, discover peace. Gokarna is known for its famous Mahabaleshwara Temple. It’s all about miles of unperturbed, pristine beaches and spiritual discovery. Famous beaches include Om (beach shaped like the Hindu Om figure), Paradise and Kudle. Known for its religious significance, Gokarna is also a great option to get to “nirvana”.

Attractions: Hippies’ paradise, the beautiful ‘Om’ shaped beach
Location: Gokarna, Karnataka

5.  Tarkarli Beach – ‘Star Gazing on shore music’

Who needs bright disco lights and flashy strop lights, when you can stargaze lying on a silent beach.  To top up, these non-polluted and peaceful virgin beaches, there are mountains, waterfalls and there are dolphins. Experience something different this year by learning scuba diving and snorkeling by trained professionals in this amazing beach of  Maharashtra.

Attractions: Stargazing, Scuba Diving, Dolphins and Snorkeling
Location: Tarkarli is 8 km south of Malvan and 546 km from Mumbai on the west coast of India, at the confluence of the Karli River and the Arabian Sea.

6.  Jampore Beach – Why travel Far?

Ever desired for a chota break?. Ask your boss for it. What’s more fantasizing than reaching to Jampore beach by mere 3 hrs drive from Mumbai and relaxing by unlimited Jet ski rides. And why to pay hefty amounts for parasailing when you can do it for so cheap here. Afterall, who doesn’t like flying?

Attractions: Parasailing, and Jet Skiing
Location: Daman

7. Chandipur - ‘Hide-and-Seek’ with Sea

16 km from Balasore, Chandipur is a quiet beach on the Orissan coast. Counted as one of the most unique experiences of the world, the sea water here recedes about 5 km during low tide and advances to the shore line again during high tide, each day. This gives visitors the opportunity to walk into its shallow depths. Did I not mention turtles?

Attractions: Walk on the shallow parts of the visible sea bed and admire the sea life on coast during low tide
Location: 16 km from the Balasore Railway Station on Howrah-Madras line of South Eastern Railways.

8.  Muzhappilangad Beach – a walk to Island

Have you ever imagined that you could walk down to an island. It is only possible here during low tides. Muzhappilangad Beach is the only drive-in beach in Asia and also the longest beach in Kerala. Muzhappilangad beach festival is held here, every year in April. Its too late now, plan for next year.

Attractions: Drive on beach, parasailing, paragliding, catamaran ride, and a walk to Dharmadam Island during low tide
Location: Situated between Kannur and Thalassery in Kerala

9. Covelong Beach – Challenge the waves by Wind Surfing

How do you call a banana ride and speed boat ride an adventure?. I don’t!. the real adventure is here dude. Surf the waves and make them your friend. This is the new task on your next holiday. Catch a flight and reach out at this beautiful beach near Chennai.

Attractions: Swimming, Surfing, and Windsurfing
Location: 40 kilometers south of Chennai, on the East Coast Road en route Mahabalipuram.

10.  Varkala – When soul crave for Trance Music

Do you like Trance music like I do?. Who said it’s the best in Goa?. Varkala is all about thumping trance music on a cliff surrounded by a spectacular beaches with huge palm trees. Though a lot of tourists visit the place every year, it still doesn’t seem all that crowded. Visit small cafes like ‘Rock N Roll Cafe’, ‘Coffee Temple’, and ‘Cafe del Mar’, laze around and lead a hippie lifestyle in Varkala, at least until you’re forced to return back to your city and resume your hectic schedule.

Attractions: Hippie haven, swimming, and beautiful cliff, beach, and palm trees
Location: Varkala, Kerala

The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace.

So, Where are you heading next?